Ipswich seal first signing immediately after promotion back to Premier League

Ipswich have sealed their first signing for next season straight after securing promotion back to the Premier League.

The Tractor Boys suffered relegation from the top flight in the 2024/25 campaign but regrouped under manager Kieran McKenna, who led the team back to the big-time at the first time of asking.

Coventry cruised to a Championship title win with a 95-point campaign but Ipswich managed to pip Millwall to second place and take the second automatic promotion spot following a 3-0 victory over QPR at Portman Road.

The team celebrated with lifelong fan and shareholder Ed Sheeran in the dressing room after the monumental victory.

But as soon as the final whistle sounded, Ipswich confirmed their first permanent deal for next season in the Premier League.

Defender Cedric Kipre will be staying with Ipswich next season after a successful loan spell.

Cedric Kipre will be with Ipswich next season. Image: Getty

The Ivorian signed on loan from French side Reims and the terms of the deal stipulated that the move would become permanent if Ipswich secured promotion.

They did just that and so on Saturday, the transfer was officially completed as soon as the final game of the season finished.

Kipre played 25 times in all competitions, scoring three goals. He is no stranger to English football, having played for Leicester City, Non-League side Corby Town, Wigan Athletic, West Brom and Cardiff City prior to his spell with the Suffolk outfit.

He is yet to play in the Premier League, however, and will no doubt be delighted to realise that dream next season.

Taking to Instagram following on from the promotion, alongside a series of snaps, the 29-year-old wrote: "What a day. What a season. What a club. Job done @premierleague ALL THE GLORY BE TO GOD."

One member of Ipswich's promotion-winning side who won't be playing next season is former England international Ashley Young.

Young played 15 times for Ipswich in 2026/27 but has decided to call time on his career at the age of 40 after spells with Watford, Aston Villa, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Everton.